Spring is arguably one of the best times to go to Israel. The natural surroundings are green, lush, and blooming, and it's not too hot or too cold.
Some of the best things to do in Springtime in Israel are outside, but there are also lovely activities in the cities to take full advantage of the season.
Some of my favorite Spring activities in Israel are walking tours, visiting nature reserves, and more. If you are planning a trip to Israel make sure to visit Gil Travel to see the latest tours being offered.
WALKING TOURS
Walking tours in Jerusalem
Jerusalem is spectacular in any season, but spring is the perfect weather to enjoy long walks through the holy city.
On a walking tour, you might see the old city, the Jaffa Gate, the Tower of David, and have the chance to visit the markets in the old city. You'd get to stop at the Western Wall to place a prayer note between the stones of the wall and head to the other quarters of the old city to haggle for souvenirs.
Get to see panoramic views at the top of Mount Scopus and travel to the biblical Garden of Gethsemane and the Kidron Valley to see huge Jewish tombs.
One of the best things to do in Israel and in Jerusalem in particular is to explore the little nooks and alleys you can't see on a bus tour. From the beautiful shops of judaica to a tour of a scribe's workshop, a walking tour through Jerusalem is full of surprises.
Walking tours in Acre
Acre was the central port city in Israel for thousands of years. It's one of the oldest cities in the country, founded 4,000 years ago.
The crusaders grew the city because of its port, but when the Crusader Kingdom collapsed, the city was destroyed. However, 200 years later, the Ottomans rebuilt the city.
In 1799, Napoleon tried to march into Israel but was blocked by the fortifications of Acre.
With so much history, it's no wonder that a walking tour in Acre in the spring is worth it. You'd pass archaeological finds, historical sites, hidden alleys, underground tunnels, beaches, and markets.
Some of the highlights you might see on a walking tour around Acre are the Bahai House, the Knights Halls underground complex, the Turkish Bazaar, and the ports.
You could also take a walking tour along the Old Acre Walls, which begin in the northern moat, and go along the walls that surround the city.
Walking tours in Tzfat
Tzfat is a town for seekers. It's the city of air, Kabbalah, and mysticism. Home to artists, a walking tour in Tzfat is more like a discovery tour. In the spring, the clean air of the hills is extra sweet, the blue of the doors extra bright.
There has been a Jewish presence in Tzfat since the Temple period but it became the "City of Kabbalah" in the 16th century when Kabbalistic scholars fleeing the Spanish Inquisition decided to settle there.
A walking tour in Tzfat ventures through the winding alleyways and cobblestone paths of the city, while surrounded by views of Meron and the Sea of Galilee.
You'd visit the Artist's Quarter, see the Ancient synagogues, and perhaps buy something at one of the special shops in Tzfat, including the candle factory and glass-blowing shops.
The perfect way to end a walking tour is climbing up 905 meters to Mount Yavnit for a view of Hula Valley, Biriya Forest, and the entire Galilee.
TIME IN THE SUN
Dead Sea
Visiting the Dead Sea is one of the best things to do in Israel.
Spring is all about rejuvenation, and there's no better place to do that than the Dead Sea. With great gourmet food, healing spas, lovely hiking trails, and beautiful beaches, the area is the perfect place to relax.
Some of my favorite Dead Sea stops:
Kibbutz Kalia is the northernmost beach at the Dead Sea. There's a pool, bar, and changing facilities. It's friendly for all ages and has a beautiful 360-degree view of the desert. Even better, it's only a 25-minute drive from Jerusalem.
Neve Midbar Beach is the least commercial beach at the dead sea. There's a bar, lawned areas for barbecues, and good facilities.
Biankini Beach is a Moroccan-style holiday resort. There are accommodation options and a Moroccan restaurant.
Tel Aviv Beach
When it's not too hot or cold, there's no better place to go than the beach. Tel Aviv is famous for its Mediterranean waters, where the whole city goes to cool off.
Some of my favorite Tel Aviv Beaches:
Metzitzim for families. There are restaurants, showers, and beach volleyball courts.
TopSea Beach has the TopSea surf club, a bar, and a restaurant. The bar delivers on the beach. It's perfect for people-watching, but the entrance to the sea is a bit rocky, so flip-flops are encouraged!
Gordon beach is one of Tel Aviv's most popular beaches. It's a great way to really understand the city, especially if you go on a Friday or Saturday.
Geula beach is a local hangout and the perfect place to feel like a real Tel Avivian.
Banana/Drum Beach has a relaxed atmosphere. It's a nice place to read and even has a cafe. On Fridays, you can go to a huge drum session and dance to Tel Aviv's most talented drummers.
ARAVA AND EILAT VACATION
Take a mud cabin in Tzukim
One of my favorite things to do in the Israeli spring is going to the Desert Days mud cabin Resort in the Arava region. It holds 14 mud cabins, each hand-crafted with ancient construction techniques out of natural materials. All the cabins have kitchenettes, bathrooms, air conditioning, and fireplaces.
To enjoy those spring days, there are hammocks, outdoor grills, and fire pits. Breakfast and dinner are served to the cabins.
There's a swimming pool, a studio, and well-trained staff that can provide you with information for hiking trips in the desert.
While you're in the desert, you can also consider stargazing in Israel.
Nice hotel in Eilat
You can stay at a nice hotel by the beach in Eilat in the Spring in Israel.
● Queen of Sheba is set off a beach and has a spa with a Jacuzzi, steam room, and a sauna.
● Herods Vitalis is right next to the beach and has a spa with hydrotherapy waterfalls and a sauna. Some of the suites even feature double whirlpool baths and rain showers.
● At the Dan Eilat, you can wake up right on the beach, or head to one of their two swimming pools.
● The Royal Beach has its own private beach, restaurants, and a spa.
NATURAL PLACES
Ein Gedi
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is a lush oasis between a canyon, close to the Dead Sea. It's possibly one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Ein Gedi was first settled during the Chalcolithic period, 5000 thousand years ago, and is mentioned in the bible several times.
It's one of the best places for hiking, with trails ranging from beginner to expert. If you only have a day to spend in the area, you might want to hike the easy tails in Wadi David and Wadi Arugot.
If you're lucky, you might get a special view of some of the wildlife in Ein Gedi, like the Nubian Ibex, a mountain goat in the area. You might also see rock hyrax, snakes, marsh frogs, vultures, foxes, and grey wolves.
But the absolute best activity in Ein Gedi is the water. You can wade in the shallow waters and pools after a hike to cool yourself off.
When you finish your hiking day you can stay overnight in Kibbutz Ein Gedi.
If you decide you love exploring the national parks of Israel and want more, you can also plan trips to Tel Dan, and Banias in the north, and Machtesh Ramon in the south.
Israel national trail
The best time to hike in Israel is in the Spring between March and May. The Israel National trail is 680 miles that crosses the country from North to South. It's one of the best ways to get to know the country, and a great spring activity to choose a section and explore!
You walk through desert areas in the south and mountain regions up north.
A special part of hiking the trail is Trail Angels, people that live on the trail and offer hikers places to stay.
FUN CITY/URBAN EXPLORATION
Tel Aviv Nightlife
Nightlife is one of the most common reasons to visit Tel Aviv. If you're looking for live music, head to Barby and Zappa for festivals and all-night jazz jams. Head to Dizengoff and Allenby streets for your choice of cocktail bars. For rooftop views, Speakeasy and Poli are a great place to start your night in the Spring air. .
Bahai Gardens
The Baha'i Holy Places and Gardens, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, are an important location for Baha'i pilgrims.
The gardens are known for their beauty-and there's no better time to appreciate outdoor beauty than spring.
The gardens are in the heart of Haifa. There is a staircase of nineteen terraces that extends all the way up the northern slope of Mount Carmel. It's also worth seeing the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab.
Ein Kerem
Ein Karem is a village to the west of Jerusalem. It's surrounded by natural groves and feels like a separate world from Jerusalem. It's a beautiful place to walk down cobbled alleys and look at beautiful Jerusalem stone homes.
You can take a guided walking tour around the village or go by yourself. The neighborhood is home to some great restaurants as well as artist studios.
There's nothing like springtime in Israel. The flowers bloom along the hills, a pleasant breeze comes in through open windows. There are so many ways to enjoy the flowering season in the Holy Land, and this list is only the beginning of all that you can enjoy in the country.
Enjoy!
Author Bio
Iris Hami is President of Gil Travel Group, the largest travel management firm sending people to Israel. She has over 40 years of experience in the travel industry, and uses that knowledge to craft unique Jewish journeys around the world. Her company has won multiple awards, including one from State of Israel Bonds for Extraordinary Achievements Promoting the State of Israel. They send over 40,000 travelers to Israel and other international locations each year and their clients include well-known Jewish organizations such as Birthright, Maccabi USA, Israel Bonds and many more.
